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Curriculum Vitae Ron Benefiel

PERSONAL Date of Birth: June 11, 1949 Married: to Janet Windoffer on December 18, 1980. (Deceased March, 2013). Children: Leanne (October 14, 1985), married to Jesse Richardson. Robyn (April 12, 1988), married to Forrest Adams. Timothy (October 27,1990), married to Amelia (Gardner). Married: to Dr. Melanie Oakes on April 23, 2016. Interests: Tennis, Piano, Backpacking.

EDUCATION Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Southern California, 1986. Concentrations: Sociology of Organizations (exams passed with distinction). Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy. Dissertation: "The of the : A Religious Organization in Change and Conflict". Doctor of Letters (honorary), Point Loma Nazarene University, 2005. Master of Arts in Religion, Point Loma Nazarene College, 1974. Attended Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1971 - 1972. Bachelor of Arts, Pasadena College 1971. Additional Graduate Studies in and Mission. Nazarene Theological College, , UK, 2002-2005.

VOCATIONAL EXPERIENCE Educational Administration Lead Consultant for Mission Resources and Pastoral Relations Center for Pastoral Leadership, 2015-current. Dean, School of Theology and Point Loma Nazarene University, , 2011- 2015. President Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri, 2000-2011.

Instructional Full Time: Professor of Sociology and Religion Point Loma Nazarene University, 1996-2000, 2011-current. Assistant Professor of Sociology Azusa Pacific University, 1980-1982. Part Time: Professor of Sociology of Religion Nazarene Theological Seminary, 2000-2011. Adjunct Professor Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1990 - 2000. Adjunct Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, School of World Mission, 1990 - 1996. Adjunct Professor, Azusa Pacific University, Haggard School of Theology, 1983 - 1996. Teaching staff, Bresee Institute for Urban Ministry Training, 1983 - 1996.

Recent Courses Taught: Biblical Perspectives of Mercy and (NTS, PLNU) Sociology of American (NTS) Missional Leadership and Discipleship (NTS) Ecclesial Ministry in the Wesleyan Spirit (NTS, Doctor of Ministry) Wesleyan Theology and Mission (NTS, Doctor of Ministry) Church in Mission (PLNU Master of Ministry) Christian Mission in Local Contexts (PLNU Master of Ministry) and Cross-Cultural Ministry (PLNU) Life of Holiness (PLNU) Church as a Witness to the World (PLNU)

Pastoral Ministry Pastor: (Co-pastor) Church of the Nazarene in Mid-City, San Diego, 1997-2000. Participated in the development of a multi-congregational organizational structure with five congregations (English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, Cambodian, Sudanese and Haitian). (CA) First Church of the Nazarene, 1982-1996. Led in the development of a multi-congregational organizational structure with four congregations (English-speaking, Spanish speaking, Korean and Filipino) united as one church sharing a jointly-owned facility. Assisted in the organization and development of five church plants, including Central City Church of the Nazarene, Exposition Park Church of the Nazarene, Hollywood Church of the Nazarene, and the Filipino and Korean congregations of LA First Church of the Nazarene. General (pastoral) oversight of a church-based school with 250 students (Mid-Wilshire Christian School). Non-Profit Management: Co-founder (Executive Director from 1980-1995), PF. Bresee Foundation a non-profit with three major divisions:  Bresee Institute. Graduate and under-graduate studies program in urban ministry with coursework offered in collaboration with Fuller Theological Seminary, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Anderson University and several undergraduate colleges.  Bresee Youth. Urban youth development organization with education, job training, employment, economic literacy, recreation and Christian discipleship programs.  Health and Community Development Services. Community networking and health services for children and homeless person. Associate Pastor: Single Adult, Music, and Youth Ministries, Los Angeles (CA) First Church of the Nazarene, 1973-1980. Youth Ministry, Pomona (CA) First Church of the Nazarene, 1972-1973. Youth Ministry, Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City, Kansas, 1971-1972. Youth Ministry, Porterville (CA) Church of the Nazarene, 1970.

ORGANIZATIONS, AWARDS, AND ACTIVITIES Church-Related: Ordained Elder, Church of the Nazarene, 1976-present. Articles of Faith Task Force, 2014-current. Board of Directors of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc., 2015-current. Steering Committee, Global Theology Conference, South Africa, 2014. Co-Chair, Global Theology Conference, Netherlands, 2009. Co-Chair Global Theology Conference, Guatemala, 2004. International Board of Education, 2001-2013. (Vice Chair, 2001-2009) Nazarene International Higher Education Council, 2000-2011. Resource Institute for International Education, 2000-2009. Facilitator of the development of the Core Values Project for the Church of the Nazarene, (First Edition 1999-2000, Second Edition 2006-2007). Association of Nazarene Sociologists of Religion, Steering Committee 1980-2004, 2014-current. (Program Chair 2015.) H. F. Reynolds Institute, Church of the Nazarene (denominational "think tank”), 1992-1996. Council of Church Leaders, Haggard School of Theology, Azusa Pacific University (Chairman of committee on diversity), 1983-1996. District Advisory Board, Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene (Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee), 1986-1996. Secretary of the Education Commission established by the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene, 1985-1989. Nazarene Youth International (NYPS) General Council, 1968-1973. Community-Related: Board of Directors and Executive Committee (Chair of the Programs Committee), San Diego Rescue Mission, 1997-2000, 2015-current. Board of Directors, Kansas City Rescue Mission, 2003-2011. Board of Directors, Southtown Council, Kansas City, 2008-2011. Association of Theological Schools Task Force on Denomination/Seminary Relations, 2004-2008. Board of Directors, Kansas City Urban Youth Center, 2003-2006. Board of Directors, Heart to Heart, International, 2003-2006. Board of Directors, Union Rescue Mission (Los Angeles), 1992-1996. Board of Directors, Los Angeles Mission, 1984-1987. Press and Public Relations: KPBS interviews related to Sociology of Religion, San Diego, 1997-2000. Frequent guest panelist and respondent on KFSG, 1991-1996. Protestant Respondent in LA Times' ethical issues column, 1995-1996. Frequent Guest on KABC, "Religion on the Line" (radio), 1985-1993. Frequent guest on CBS, "Today's Religion” (television), 1988-1992. PLNU Related: Board of Trustees (Spiritual Development Committee Chair), 1991-1996. Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities while on faculty at PLNU: Faculty Council Diversity Committee Strategic Enrollment Planning Committee Chair of the Community Life Covenant Committee Student and Alumnus Related: Distinguished Service Award, 2006. Alumnus of Point Loma Award (APL), 1987. Nazarene Student Leadership Conference, Co-Chairman, 1972-1973. American Legion Outstanding Student Award, 1971. Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1971. Student Body President, Pasadena College, 1970-1971. Sophomore Class President, Pasadena College, 1968-1969. Member of the student committee initiating plans and raising funds for the Lyle Prescott Memorial Prayer Chapel, 1969-1971. Nazarene Evangelistic Ambassadors, denominationally-sponsored evangelistic team in Europe and Central America, 1969.

SAMPLE OF WRITING AND RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS H. Orton Wiley Lectures, PLNU, March 2012: “’s Mission of Evangelism and Mercy”. “The Languages of Holiness”. “ Competing Religious Identities: A Case Study in the Church of the Nazarene”. “Toward a Wesleyan Missional Theology”. Association of Nazarene Sociologists of Religion (ANSR) Presentations: “Fundamentalism in the Church of the Nazarene” (with Ken Crow), 2004. “Cultivating Community through Core Values and Commitment: A Reflective Essay”, 2000. “Beliefs, Attitudes and Norms of Students on Nazarene College and University Campuses: Then and Now” (with Greg Crow), 1998. "Consumer Versus Commitment Orientations in the Church of the Nazarene: Sociological and Theological Reflections" (with John Wright), 1997. "The Dilemma of Delimitation: Concrete Definition Versus Substitution of the Letter for the Spirit", 1993. “District Organization in a Culturally Diverse Region”, 1992. "Conflict in the Local Church: Reflections of a Battle-Scarred Pastor”. 1990. "Internationalization: Perspectives from a Local Church", 1987. "The Church of the Nazarene: A Religious Organization in Conflict and Change”, 1986. “Bresee Institute for Urban Training: A Prospective Model", 1986. "The Church of the Nazarene: Sect or Denomination?", 1984. Sample of other presentations: "Fuzzy Denominationalism". Society for the Sociological Study of Religion, annual conference, November 1997. “The Languages of Holiness”, Northwest Nazarene conference plenary presentation, 2007. “The Missional Church”, Pastor Leadership Conferences. 2010. Sample of Journal and Magazine Articles: “Simplicity: The Other Side of Complexity”. Holiness Today, 2011. “The Ecology of Evangelical Seminaries”. Theological Education. 2008. “Fundamentalism in the Church of the Nazarene: A Longitudinal Analysis of Social and Political Values” (with Ken Crow). Theology, 2005. “Interpreting September 11: Perspectives on Terrorism”. Preacher’s Magazine, 2002. “Being Who We Really Are”. Holiness Today. March, 2001. “The Mission of the Church of the Nazarene in a New Century: Evangelism, Compassion and Justice”. Holiness Today, 2000. “A Church for All People”. Holiness Today. October, 1995. “A Theology of Place”. Urban Mission, 1991. Sample of Book Chapters: “The Languages of Holiness”. New Beacon Bible Commentary: James (Appendix). Edited by Jeanne Serrao. Beacon Hill Press, 2011. “John Wesley’s Mission of Evangelism”. International Nazarene Festschrift in Commemoration of Dr. Kim, Young Baik. Korea Nazarene Publishing House, 2007. “Christian Holiness and the Wesleyan Mission of Mercy: The Character of the People of God in the World”. Holiness as a Root of Morality: Essays on Wesleyan Ethics. (Edited by John Park). Edwin Mellen Press, 2006. “These Brothers and Sisters of Mine”. Dirty Hands – Pure Hearts. (Edited by Tom Nees). Beacon Hill Press, 2006. “’Missional’ Is in Our Bones”. Next Door and Down the Freeway. Edited by Neil Wiseman. Beacon Hill Press, 2001. “The Church of the Nazarene: Undercurrents of a Changing Identity”. Maps and Models for Ministry. Edited by David Whitelaw. Point Loma Press, 1996. “A Family in Mission”. The Smaller Church. (Edited by Jon Johnston and Bill Sullivan). Beacon Hill Press, 1983.